Chapter 4 - The Influencer’s Ambition
Savannah Cole did not come from wealth, but she possessed an insatiable hunger for it. She was twenty-five, an interior designer who had leveraged a few high-profile staging gigs into an elite social circle. To her, Grant Sterling was the ultimate prize: handsome, powerful, and filthy rich.
Two days after our encounter at the boutique, she did what modern predators always do: she weaponized social media.
Evelyn sent me the link while I was reviewing financial audits. Savannah had posted a professionally shot portrait of Grant’s hand resting against her pregnant stomach, the diamond ring prominently centered in the frame. The caption read: *Counting down the days until 10.18. Forever begins when the past is left behind.*
The comments were flooded with congratulations from society wives and corporate peers who had spent years smiling at me at Vance charity galas.
Ten minutes later, my phone rang. It was Grant, breathing heavily.
“Did you see it?” he hissed. “I told her to take it down. She’s locked herself in her apartment and won't answer her phone. Claire, listen to me, the board is already calling. Simon Drake asked if there’s trouble between us.”
“Simon is the senior trustee of my father’s estate, Grant,” I said coolly. “Of course he’s asking. He protects the family’s honor.”
“Claire, tell him we’re fine. Just tell him we’re working through a private separation. Just wait until the nineteenth! I’ll sign whatever you want. I’ll give you the Hamptons house. I’ll give you the art collection. Just don’t ruin me!”
He was offering me crumbs from my own table.
“Go comfort your bride, Grant,” I whispered. “She’s waiting for her wedding.”
May you like
I hung up, dialed Evelyn, and gave her the green light. “Trigger the forensic audit on his discretionary spending. Let’s see what else he bought for his new family.”
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